Early spring sunshine filtered through the budding branches around Shrek Academy, painting the courtyard in dappled gold. The newly repaired wooden beams, solid roofs, and fresh coat of paint gave the humble school a modest warmth. It still wasn't grand—just a small institution quietly finding its footing.
Li Wei strolled down along the stone path, the edges of his dark, Caelus-inspired coat fluttering with each step. The academy buzzed with life: hired groundskeepers swept the walkways, cooks hauled pots of steaming porridge, and teachers moved between classrooms with renewed energy. The scent of fresh herbs from the greenhouse mingled with the aroma of breakfast, and even the birdsong seemed livelier against the backdrop of renewed hope.
At the training field's edge, Zhao Wuji oversaw Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun's sparring. His usual stern expression had softened in recent months.
"Drive your force through each strike," Zhao Wuji instructed, voice carrying across the field. "Mubai, don't let him bait you inside your barrier!"
Dai Mubai snarled playfully, adjusting his stance. "I'm not baiting anyone!"
Ma Hongjun laughed, flame swirling around his fists in playful defiance. "Prove it, Boss Dai! Let's see who gets knocked into the lake first!"
Oscar lounged beneath a cherry tree, balancing a plate of recovery sausages on his knee. "I'll bet on Mubai! Serious stamina boost right here!"
Li Wei paused, watching the exchange with mild amusement before slipping away to find a quieter corner. He needed a moment alone to center himself.
Under a gnarled old oak, he settled cross-legged, closed his eyes, and drew in a steady breath.
Level Forty-One.
The realization washed over him, not as triumph, but as an inevitable step. He had crossed into the Spirit Ancestor realm days ago in solitude, testing the boundaries of his soul power under the pale moonlight. He had felt the surge of strength, the widening of his spirit perception, and yet, he had made no grand proclamation.
Strength is not for show, he thought. It is the silent foundation beneath your feet.
He opened his eyes, the world sharpening into focus. Nearby, Flender's quiet footsteps echoed on the gravel path. The dean wore his usual robes, now crisply pressed, as if reflecting the academy's newfound stability.
"Good morning, Li Wei," Flender greeted, handing him a steaming cup of tea. "I trust you're well rested."
Li Wei accepted the tea with a nod. "Thank you, dean."
Flender took a sip, eyes crinkling with satisfaction. "The cooks outdid themselves today—spiced barley soup. Perfect for a morning chill."
Li Wei inclined his head appreciatively. They stood in companionable silence, watching the students train.
"You've been very quiet since the end of term," Flender observed. "Most would boast about a breakthrough like yours."
Li Wei turned the cup in his hands. "No need. I grow for the day when my strength will matters most."
Flender smiled. "Wise and mature as always. Still, remember that strength shared with others can also inspire others."
Li Wei's eyes lifted to the field. Dai Mubai exploded in a roar as he landed a strike that sent Ma Hongjun stumbling back. Laughter and cheers erupted.
"You're improving," Li Wei admitted, voice soft.
Flender followed his gaze. "They're all growing. It's good to see."
A moment later, Teacher Li Yusong joined them, wiping ink-stained fingers on his robes.
"I apologize for interrupting," he said, bowing gracefully. "But I wanted to inform you both—the new scroll shipments have arrived. Rare anatomy diagrams, updated cultivation records..." His eyes brightened. "Students will benefit greatly."
Li Wei and Flender exchanged a pleased look.
"Excellent," Flender said. "Please allocate them to the library immediately."
Li Yusong nodded and departed, leaving the two to their observations.
Li Wei sipped his tea. One small change at a time, he mused. This school will be ready someday to stand among the great academies.
---
The bell tower chimed, its clear tone a novelty born of Li Wei's investment. Teachers and students alike paused in their activities, acknowledging the signal for morning assembly.
Li Wei entered the main hall, where rows of freshly oiled benches awaited. Flender took his seat at the front, followed by Zhao Wuji, Li Yusong, Lu Qibin, and Shao Xin. The position of the chairs had been rearranged; the teachers now formed a slight semicircle, emphasizing a sense of unity.
"Today," Flender began, voice carrying authority softened by warmth, "we introduce our new library acquisitions and begin integrated theory-practice sessions." He motioned to Li Yusong. "Please share the details, Teacher Li."
Li Yusong stepped forward, unrolling a large scroll. "These diagrams illustrate advanced spirit beast anatomy—specifically the cross-sections of elemental cores. They will augment our biology lectures and allow for more precise spirit medicine creation."
Murmurs of excitement rippled through the small class. Even Dai Mubai, usually impatient with theory, nodded with interest. He caught Li Wei's eye and elbowed him playfully.
"Looks like we'll have to bone up on our beast knowledge, Wei."
Li Wei smiled. "I'll lend you my notes."
After assembly, the students dispersed toward their respective classes. Li Wei found himself walking side-by-side with Oscar.
"You alright, Oscar?" he asked quietly. "You seemed quite eager from the usual."
Oscar grinned. "You bet! Knowledge will makes for better healing recipes. Plus, understanding anatomy means fewer surprises when I cook my… experimental dishes."
Li Wei arched an eyebrow. "Experimentation can be dangerous."
Oscar shrugged. "Everything's a risk if you don't pay attention. But what's life without spice?"
They laughed, and Li Wei felt a genuine warmth. Though he remained reserved, these moments of normal teenage banter grounded him in this world.
---
The afternoon bell rang through the courtyard, signaling a shift from physical training to theoretical study. In a modest classroom lit by natural light, only Li Yusong stood before the four students, his aged eyes gleaming as he rolled out a series of beast silhouettes on parchment.
"Today, we focus on understanding spirit beasts—never dissecting them, but reading their signs and gauging their strength and age," Li Yusong began, voice calm. "As Spirit Masters, we must prepare thoroughly before an encounter."
He pointed to the largest silhouette: a Great Spirit Wolf. "Count the ridges on the mane bones by its jaw; each ridge often signifies a year of maturation. Younger wolves have smoother jaws, while elders show pronounced serrations."
Ma Hongjun leaned forward. "So by examining a Wolf's jawline, we know if it's an adult or an elder?"
"Exactly," Li Yusong confirmed. "Combine that with size, fur hardness, and spirit aura density. A dense, heavy aura usually indicates both age and power."
He replaced the parchment with elemental charts. "Beasts fall into elemental families—Fire, Water, Earth, Wind—and hybrids. A Fire Wolf's fur crackles in cold weather; a Water Bear's pelt shimmers in sunlight. Spot these traits from a distance."
Dai Mubai raised an eyebrow. "What about mixed breeds, like the Flame-Scaled Cobra?"
"Hybrid species exhibit blended traits," Li Yusong explained. "Look for scale patterns—red scales interspersed with obsidian ones. Their auras will fluctuate between heat surges and venomous chill. That flicker in the aura signals hybrid nature."
Oscar scribbled notes furiously. "So we rely on observation, not anatomy?"
"Correct. Spirit Beast anatomy is sacred—only revered masters may study preserved specimens under strict guidance. For most, technique and knowledge come from observation, not dissection."
"Armed with this, you can plan any hunt or defense. Never rush blindly."
---
As dusk fell, Li Wei returned to the same oak tree, meditating once more. The world around him stilled, the only sound the whisper of leaves.
Kilometers away, Crocodile Douluo sat hidden beneath a canopy of evergreens, his eyes open, fixed on the distant silhouette of Shrek Academy. A subtle formation tricked any soul-sensing devices; only his grandson's faint heartbeat pierced the concealment.
He grows stronger still, the veteran spirit master mused. Soon he will need a guide more than a shadow. But patience.
He traced memories of Li Wei's childhood—the moment he know that his parent gone from the world forever. Something that no child should ever experience. Something that he did not want his grandson experience. He remember that his family also gone in the early years.
One day, Crocodile Douluo vowed silently, he will understand our bond. Until then, I must remain unseen.
But for Li Wei memories of himself could not be recall now as clear as before, lost to a reincarnation that spanned worlds. He can recallan event but harder to recall tidbits that make it happen.
---
The night wind swept through the dormitory windows, carrying the scent of woodsmoke and flowering wisteria. Li Wei sat on the roof, legs dangling over the edge, gazing at the tapestry of stars.
The academy below was quiet now—only lanterns flickering in windows and the distant murmur of a late-night adult group getting together.
This peace is hard-earned, he thought. Yet it is but a lull before the storm. Next term, new faces will arrive. Tang San. Xiao Wu. Their presence will reshape this place... and my path.
He closed his eyes, letting the night enfold him.
For now, I will rest. Tomorrow, we prepare.